CLASSICS
WORDS: Rhys Jones
PHOTOS: Supplied
MINE’S BIGGER
THAN YOURS
n many ways the 1970s was one of the
most innovative decades in motorcycle
history. One aspect of the period was
the sheer size of some of the engines
produced. Following the 1960s when bikes like
the Triumph Bonneville, Norton 650SS, and
BSA Rocket Gold Star weighed in at 650cc and
were considered big bikes, the Japanese, who
had moved from smaller capacity machines
to producing medium sized models such as
the Honda CB450 and Suzuki T500, began a
capacity drive that saw engines reach up to
1300cc. Welcome to the turbulent 70s.
In 1969 Honda fired a warning shot at the
British, American and European motorcycle
industries. It came in the shape of the Honda
CB750, an OHC four-cylinder bike that would
change the game for ever. It bristled with
features unseen on previous models; electric
starter, five gears, four exhausts, and quality
finish. It became an affordable superbike that
would pave the way for the roaring 70s. At the beginning of the decade 750 became
the capacity to have. The Europeans, and
British offered competitive 750 machines,
such as Laverda 750 SFC, Moto Guzzi V7 Sport,
MV Agusta 750 Sport and Norton Commando.
Notably all these machines were air-cooled. In
1973 Kawasaki increased the capacity race to
903cc with the launch of the Z1. It was faster
too with a top speed of 212km/h compared
with the CB750 at 198km/h. The Europeans
and Americans followed suit with 1000cc
motors from the likes of BMW, Ducati, Laverda,
Harley, and Moto Guzzi. Then Honda struck
again with the CBX1000, a twenty-four valve,
six-cylinder 1047cc air-cooled motor. Suzuki
released the GS1000, which is said to be the
first Japanese bike to equal European chassis
performance, and from Yamaha came the
monstrous XS1100, which at 272kg outweighed
the Honda and Suzuki. The Yamaha engine
was 1101cc.
The bike that changed the game.
1969 CB750 Graeme Crosby with his
restored Kawasaki Z1